Beinlängendifferenz

Beinlängendifferenz, also known as leg length discrepancy, refers to a condition where one leg is anatomically or functionally shorter than the other. This difference can be congenital, meaning present from birth, or acquired due to various factors such as trauma, fractures, surgery, or certain medical conditions like osteoarthritis or tumors.

The causes of beinlängendifferenz are broadly categorized into anatomical and functional. Anatomical discrepancies involve a difference in the actual length of the bones in one leg compared to the other. Functional discrepancies arise from issues in the alignment of the body, such as pelvic tilt, scoliosis, or problems with the foot or ankle, which can create the appearance of a leg length difference without a true difference in bone length.

Symptoms can range from subtle to severe. Mild discrepancies may go unnoticed, while significant differences can lead to noticeable limping, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, and increased fatigue. Over time, untreated beinlängendifferenz can contribute to postural problems, gait abnormalities, and degenerative changes in joints.

Diagnosis involves a physical examination, including measuring leg lengths while the patient stands and lies down. Imaging tests like X-rays, sometimes with the patient standing and bearing weight, are crucial for accurately determining the degree of anatomical difference.

Treatment depends on the severity of the discrepancy and the age of the individual. For minor differences, observation or conservative measures like shoe lifts might be sufficient. For more significant anatomical differences, especially in growing children, interventions like growth modulation surgery to equalize growth rates might be considered. In adults, surgical lengthening of the shorter leg or shortening of the longer leg are options, although these are more complex procedures. Functional discrepancies are often managed with physical therapy, orthotics, or addressing underlying biomechanical issues.